A/N: Little warning. Some "rebel bashing" down there, but please don't get mad. I'm an American so I think I have a license to make fun a little bit. Hope nobody's offended though!
-sancti-
Chapter 5
Ansley had planned on spending the rest of the day sulking in her room, sitting in her usual chair in front of her window and sewing that bleeding wedding vale. So many times had she wanted to just take the needle and rip it through the delicate material. Sewing that thing often felt so much like she was tying her own noose. Nonetheless, it was something to do and she was fond of sewing. But her day took a different direction, an unexpected one quite like the day before (which Ansley was still having trouble remembering). But the way in which her day took that unforeseen turn came in the form of a message.
Ansley stared at the piece of paper in the young girl's hand, wondering who on earth would want to contact her, especially when she'd just received her family's letters the day before. The small message was creased, almost like someone had crumpled it to throw away, but thought better of it. Ansley gingerly took it from the little servant girl who curtsied and then skittered away in an instant. Opening the message, Ansley was surprised to see only a few words:
At noon, meet me at the pool.
With a short intake of breath, Ansley knew who it was and with shaking fingers, she hurriedly stuffed the note in her skirt.
-
Ansley knew from the instant she awoke that it was going to be a dark day. Thick, grey clouds obscured any hints of the sun as the young woman took the least traversed path from the mansion into the woods. She immediately recognized the horse trail and followed it for some time, waiting for the sound of the water to draw her near. All the while, Ansley felt like she was watching herself from afar, wondering why she was doing this. Excitement hardly touched young Ansley's life and to date, this was the most excitement she'd ever experienced. The fact that she was actually going against a rule, several in fact, was a giant leap for the girl.
But Ansley found that she not only loved the feeling of breaking a few rules, but this man, this colonel held her fascinated. The day before, when she'd rambled endlessly about this problem and that, she'd watched him as he sat listening. The intense gaze in his eyes as he seemed to be able to read her mind, and his occasional nod or input. It was like he studied her for a specific purpose. For what purpose, Ansley wasn't sure.
She halted upon hearing the gentle rush of water and she turned in its direction. She left the trail, letting the fallen branches and prickly undergrowth nag and snatch at her skirt. Pushing low branches out of her way, Ansley finally made it to the pool, a smile automatically displayed as she neared it. But her smile dissipated as she realized there was no Colonel Tavington. The slightly lower-than-normal temperature whipped at Ansley as a sharp breeze caused the girl to fold her arms tightly against her chest and wish for the shawl in her room. She looked about, seeing no sign of the man. Disappointed and a tad chilly, she decided to wait only a few more minutes before turning back. She didn't have to wait long, when a twig snapped behind her. She turned to see the colonel, sharp as ever in uniform, emerge from the dense trees.
"You've broken tradition." He said as a greeting, nodding at her clothes.
Her brow creased, Ansley looked down at herself before realizing what he meant. When she did, her face flushed some as the man chuckled. But she felt somewhat relieved when he made a jesting smirk.
He then nodded his head towards the woods. "Let's take a walk, shall we?" He suggested, his tone unreadable. Mildly mulling over the fact that such a thing was improper, Ansley visibly hesitated. But upon seeing no odd look in his eyes, Ansley nodded her head and followed him as he headed towards the horse trail.
-
Ansley grimaced as she smacked at a small bug on her arm. "Can't stand this country." She spat.
Tavington looked over curiously. "Really? I'm rather fond of it. Much too beautiful a country for these rebel savages to have all to themselves."
Ansley made a quiet laugh. "Well, they can keep it as far as I'm concerned."
The man's demeanor changed suddenly into one of seriousness and he eyed Ansley curiously. "What do you know of the war, Miss Parrish?"
Ansley dismissed the question with a wave of her hand. "I don't pay mind to any of that, Colonel. All I need to know is that the rebels are dirty traitors and we're going to win. Besides that, I rather like keeping my head in the sand."
She couldn't be sure, but Ansley thought she saw a bit of relief in the colonel's well-chiseled features.
"So what was your excuse this time?" Tavington asked as the two walked slowly down the path.
Ansley knew what he referred to and shrugged innocently. "I told Winnie that I was writing letters in my room and wasn't to be disturbed."
He chuckled lightly as he stared off into the gray sky. An uncomfortable silence took over and Ansley wrung her hands anxiously.
"Colonel, I wanted to thank you, for what you did yesterday, with the message outside my door and all." Ansley said finally.
Tavington pulled his hands behind his back in a military way and then fixed her with a quick, polite smile. "Think nothing of it, Miss Parrish. I only did what any…gentleman would do."
After a moment of silence, Ansley decided to ask the question that had been gnawing at her. "Colonel, I realize that my…condition yesterday was hardly that of a lady," with a deep breath, she continued, "And I must ask, did I say, or…do anything that would be considered, well-improper?"
Tavington halted and turned to her with a raised eyebrow. When he didn't answer right away, Ansley whimpered and suddenly a flood of questions spilled from her lips.
"Good God, what did I do? What did I say? Did I do anything to you? Did," she paused breathlessly, "did we do anything?" She inquired meekly.
Seeming to have fun with this game, Tavington chuckled mysteriously which only caused Ansley's face to redden more.
"Colonel, what happened?" Ansley pleaded, her eyes telling her dreadful thoughts.
Tavington noticed her features turning from red to a disturbing blanched color and decided it unwise to continue the game. "Now, now, don't fret. Neither you, nor I, did anything of the sort."
The trembling in her spine nearly stopped and Ansley breathed a sigh of relief, crossing her arms tightly. After recovering from that unhealthy scare, Ansley gave the man a sidelong glance.
"Colonel, really, why did you call on me anyway?"
He fixed her with a perfectly serious face and shrugged a shoulder. "I was curious as to how I'd see you again, considering each of our previous encounters." He replied casually, giving her form a once over.
Ansley felt her jaw drop in quite an unlady-like fashion and she made a squeak of a scoff. "Wh-why, how dare you even fathom such a thought-"
He laughed-very hard. He had such a guffaw that his hand soon went to his side as he sat down on a near log. Ansley watched, not amused, with her mouth still parted from her unfinished sentence. When the last of his chuckles dissipated, he looked upon the young woman with moist eyes.
"My dear Miss Parrish, don't flatter yourself," He finally managed to say, "I asked you to meet me merely for company. I was bored."
Ansley clamped her jaw shut, clenching her jaw. This man was worse than Wesley. Turning away with a huff, she walked swiftly in the direction of the mansion.
"Wait, Miss Parrish!" He caught up with her in a mere few seconds, carefully taking her arm. Ansley wrenched her arm away without a word. He then stood in front of her, blocking her path.
"Move." She hissed.
His chin dipped knowingly. "Miss Parrish, I can't believe you would get in such a fit over a jest."
"I don't take jests very well." She spat.
Ansley then brushed past him, some of her hair loosening from the careless bun she'd had it in.
"I'm sorry." He called to her retreating form. She stopped, turning slightly to hear more of his apology.
"You must understand, Miss Parrish, I'm not a man that laughs often." Tavington explained seriously.
Ansley sighed, biting her lip. "And I am not a woman who enjoys being the object of ridicule," She said quietly, "Nor one who is only there for the amusement and status of another." She murmured. The colonel didn't say anything and let her continue. Ansley felt the tickle in her nose, indicating unwelcome tears. Biting them back, she let the rage seep out instead.
"Just something to show off! And he'll always be there!" She snapped angrily. The colonel stayed quiet, "Always be there, making my life miserable and giving me children that I may never love simply because they came from him! And there I'll be," She pointed ahead of her, at an image only she could see, "his perfect wife with the perfect home and the damned perfect life!" The tears brimmed in her eyes and her knees weakened. She crumpled to the ground, the colonel there in an instant, but soon seeing she only suffered from emotional exhaustion. Not giving notice to Tavington, she stared out into the trees.
"Is that my destiny," She croaked out, "to live such a lie only because I am a woman?"
Tavington wouldn't give an answer, because he didn't have one. He couldn't say, "I know how you feel," because he did not. He'd always lived his life the way in which he deemed fit. His father, being the bastard that he was, never tried to steer his son's life in any direction. So Tavington had to learn from his own mistakes, which had numbered to many over the years.
Putting a hand to the young woman's shoulder, he offered his other to her. "Come, Miss Parrish, you don't want to stay on the ground."
Ansley casually drifted out of her reverie and fixed the colonel with a red-eyed, pleading stare. "Colonel, I beg of you not to mention what I've said here."
Smiling comfortingly, he slipped her hand into his own and helped the young woman to her feet. "Not a word." He promised.
Satisfied, Ansley brushed herself off, then wiped away the stray tears on her cheeks. "I should go back, Colonel," she took a chance and glanced at his piercing blue orbs and added, "thank you for bearing with my outburst."
He looked as if he wanted to say something more, but decided against it and simply nodded. With another small, polite smile, she turned and headed towards the mansion.
"Miss Parrish!" Tavington called after her.
She only slowed her pace, but kept walking, her head cranked in the man's direction to let him know she was listening.
"Meet me at the stables tomorrow? I have something to show you!"
Ansley then faced him, walking backwards, her feet stumbling some. "When?"
"After dinner!"
"Wha-but it would be dark soon after!"
Tavington smiled knowingly. "That's the point. Will you come?"
Not putting too much thought into the "how," Ansley nodded and turned back around, disappearing into the trees.
"And come in comfortable apparel!"
-
She didn't really mean to awake early, but Ansley guessed her nerves were what caused her premature rise. Winnie was even surprised to see her superior up as the sun inched its way over the horizon. Truth was, Ansley was as giddy as a little girl on Christmas morning and her obvious excitement stirred Winifred's interest.
"You're all smiles, Miss Parrish, what's put you in such a fine mood?" The servant asked as she fixed Ansley's hair at the vanity table.
Ansley shrugged, observing her reflection with a critical green eye. "I suppose a good nights rest is the cause."
Winifred grunted in response, taking a hairpin from the few Ansley held up for her. "Well, whatever it is, it's right fine to see you with some color on your face."
The day drew on slowly and Ansley believed she might suffocate with excitement. Where was the colonel going to bring her? What did he want her to see? She felt a little timid upon imagining the answers. But she told herself she had no reason to fret. By this time, she'd gotten to trusting the colonel and would expect nothing less of a gentleman.
Ansley took her afternoon tea in the library, instead of with Mrs. Middleton and her annoying friends. She liked the feeling of being surrounded by the books and the countless tales hidden within their pages. Ansley turned another page of Utopia, fascinated by the words, as she sipped her tea.
"I thought I might find you here."
Ansley froze with the teacup still at her lips. Her glance slid upwards to meet the homely figure of her fiancé. He wasn't looking at her, but instead perused the shelves apathetically. Heaving a dramatic sigh, he finally turned to Ansley and walking up to her, grabbing the book from her hand and observing the title. He grunted.
"Utopia? Are you sure you're capable of understanding it?" He asked smugly, dropping the book on the cushion next to her. He then sat himself down in an armchair across from the woman.
Taking the book back into her hands, Ansley tried to look for the page she'd been reading from. "Don't underestimate me, Wesley." She warned.
He scoffed, his eyes wandering about the room. "Why aren't you taking your tea with Mrs. Middleton?"
Ansley knew it was coming and she was prepared with her answer. "Her friends are imprudent and annoying. I wished to spend time quietly-which means alone." She added, indicating that he was not welcome.
Ignoring her wish, Wesley made himself comfortable, easing back into the chair and taking out a cigar. He pulled a box of matches out from inside his waistcoat (matches he probably got from the parlor) and lit the cigar. Ansley watched this with disgust. She abhorred smoking and Wesley knew it. He exhaled a lazy cloud of smoke, which found its way to where Ansley sat. She didn't cough, though the stench and inhalation of the nauseous fume made her want to gag. No, she wouldn't let him have the satisfaction of knowing he'd annoyed her. Instead, she went back to her book. But Wesley wasn't finished yet.
"Do you really believe I care that Mrs. Middleton and her friends irritate you?"
Not sure where he was going with this, Ansley tore herself away from the pages once again. "What is you point, Wesley?"
He sighed, taking another drag from his cigar before leaning forward in the chair. "Angelica, listen carefully. As your fiancé, I have certain duties. One, is to make sure that your conduct is something to brag about. If you continue to hide away and brush off whatever activities you women entertain yourselves with, I will begin to look like a fool."
Ansley figured out what he was trying to say and prepared herself to fight back, but he continued without letting her get a word in.
"And as your fiancé, I also have the prerogative to inform you when I am displeased with something about you."
Ansley curved a thin, dark eyebrow into an arch and lightly shook her head. "Welsey, I've told you my reasons for abandoning such, "activities."
"And I am telling you that I am displeased." He retorted gravely, "Mrs. Middleton has questioned me about your health! The last thing I need is my fiancé being the talk of the gossips and placing such embarrassment upon me. And if you don't abide-"
"You'll what?" Ansley prompted, "lock me away?"
Wesley's gaze moved to the book in Ansley's hands. "I'll remove the source of your distractions."
Ansley followed his gaze and then laughed. "Oh, Wesley, you'll take away my books? Don't treat me like a child, it's very unappealing."
"Then stop acting like one." He ordered, biting off each word. With that, he stood, taking the cigar and placing it in an ashtray on the coffee table. He then moved to stand in front of her, his gaunt form towering over Ansley's.
"And I think I shall start with this one." He snatched the book away, and Ansley gasped, standing up abruptly as he walked away.
"Wesley Miles Hookar, you give that book back to me this instant!" She demanded.
He ignored her and went to the end table near the door where a few scented candles had been lit. He hovered the small book over their flames, causing Ansley to stop in her tracks.
"You wouldn't," Ansley breathed, "I brought that all the way from England!"
The book was dangerously close to catching fire and Ansley held her breath as Welsey carelessly let the book linger over the candles. "Tomorrow, you will join Mrs. Middleton and her friends and be the perfectly genteel and pleasant young woman they expect you to be. If I hear one more concern about your health or aloofness, all of your distractions will be taken away from you." With that, he removed the book from danger and tapped its hard cover, "And besides, I'd hate these pages to be wasted on your feeble mind." He added dryly. With that, he left the room, whistling to himself.
Ansley clenched her fists, trying to bite down her anger. How dare he handle her like an unruly child and how dare he have the audacity to order her around! Then she remembered a very simple rule her mother had taught her when she'd reached the age of thirteen. Ansley had just had quite a surprise while relieving herself and came into the house screaming that her death was impending. After her mother carefully explained to her about a lady's monthly curse, she'd gone into a long discussion on what it meant to be a woman in a man's world. One rule that stuck in her mind was the one that felt most like a dagger in her stomach.
And one rule you must always remember, Angelica, is that your husband is your master. You must never disobey him because men are superior to us, as the good Book says.
Ansley felt like spitting at the path her fiancé had just traversed. But she held back, as always. Always she held back. Just enough to be accepted as a proper lady. Each time, just enough. But she wasn't sure now how much longer she could restrain herself.
-
For the first time in some days, the Lord General Cornwallis graced everyone with his presence for the evening meal, instead of usually taking it in his room while he worked. In anticipation of the apparently exciting event, the officers staying at Middleton Place also gathered around the large dining table at the formal time in which dinner was served. Ansley and Mrs. Middleton were the only ladies, so for convenience in speaking, they were seated next to each other. Welsey sat to her left, and General Cornwallis took Mr. Middleton's place at the head on the table. Mr. Middleton was placed across from Wesley and to Ansley's great and pleasant surprise, she found herself directly across from Colonel Tavington.
Once everyone was seated and the formalities began, Ansley gave Tavington a polite, subtle smile, expecting one in return. But what she received, was a curt, cool nod of acknowledgment, as if they'd just met. Blinking in surprise, Ansley parted her mouth questioningly. This was something entirely different. As she studied the man before her, Ansley realized she hardly recognized him. His spine was arrow straight, and his gestures swift and cold. The features on his well-chiseled face were like that of stone and did not seem to offer any hint of personal expression or thought. Ansley drew her brows together in consideration. Was this the real Colonel Tavington? Completely businesslike and not the least bit warm? Surely it couldn't be! Was this the man who'd quipped with her only the day before? The man who was instantly at her side in concern when she'd had that moment of emotional weakness? Was this truly the man who for the first time in her life made her feel…wanted?
Ansley continued to stare at him, searching for any part of the fellow who'd become her friend over the past few days. But she detected none of him. This wasn't the Colonel Tavington she knew, it was the rough Colonel of the British Green Dragoons seated before her.
"My dear Angelica, surely you're going to eat?" Ansley shifted her gaze from the Colonel to the source of the voice, which came from the head of the table. The Lord General blinked at her expectantly and Ansley could literally feel her fiancé's eyes burning into the side of her head, but she ignored him. Instead, she looked down at her plate of food, which she didn't even realize had been brought to her from a servant. Ansley swallowed into her dry throat before answering.
"Of course, milord, I was merely…praying." She answered, making her voice as fragile and lady-like as possible.
The older man smiled politely. "Of course, my dear. I hope I did not interrupt." He apologized genuinely.
Faking a smile in return, Ansley carefully took her napkin to spread over her lap. She then reached for her glass of wine, but halted upon feeling eyes on her. She looked over and found the Colonel peering at her over his own glass. For an instant, Ansley saw the sly twinkle in his vivid eyes. But it truly was only in that instant, for it was gone as soon as it came and he returned to being the hard, cold man that everyone in the room expected to see.
-
Tavington sighed greatly, crossing his arms and leaning against the rough wood doorframe of the barn. He stared out at the rapidly descending sun and wondered if Miss Parrish had somehow been caught. If she didn't come soon, the girl would miss the very point of the whole excursion. Tavington briefly wondered if her fiancé was holding her up, perhaps wanting something that she wouldn't be willing to give before marriage. But he then remembered that the weasel disliked her as much as she disliked him and that option was quickly cancelled out.
Tavington grimaced, remembering Miss Parrish's display yesterday afternoon caused by that man. Her emotions were dangerously bottled up, a feeling Tavington was all too familiar with. And too often did those emotions end up brimming and overflowing to the point where he'd be moved to do things others would think atrocious.
Tavington suddenly felt his brow crease at the thought of Miss Parrish discovering the things he'd done. Normally, he wouldn't care what thoughts people possessed of him. He did what he wanted when he wanted and never feared the repercussions. But for some odd reason, the idea that Miss Parrish would know filled him with something he hadn't felt in years-dread. Troubled by this unfamiliar emotion, Tavington shifted his weight uncomfortably, cranking his neck to get a look at the mansion, waiting to see the bonnet on the head of a young woman. There was no one but guards. Scoffing, Tavington turned away from the stables and headed towards the house. Obviously, something had held Miss Parrish and there was no reason why he should waste a perfectly nice night waiting around for her. The pub near town suddenly sounded like a delightful idea.
"Leaving so soon, Colonel?" Tavington stopped upon hearing the delicate voice behind him. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth and he turned halfway, seeing the young woman on the other side of the barn, a tricky grin on her face.
Playing along, Tavington shrugged a shoulder. "Well, it seems I was supposed to meet someone here, but she's late."
Coming out from behind the barn wall, Miss Parrish made an expression of mock surprise. Quickly taking in her appearance, Tavington noticed she'd changed from her dinner attire to that of a white summer dress, her waist certainly well defined from the stay, but the skirt did not have nearly as many hoops and she seemed quite comfortable in it. The neckline was cut well enough for wandering eyes, forcing Tavington to keep check on his gaze and make certain it was always directed at her pretty features. All in all, she was in appropriate enough garb for what he had planned. And quite pleasant to the eye.
"Then you mean to say you would not wait all night for her?" Miss Parrish countered clandestinely.
Choosing his words carefully, he then raised a dark eyebrow. "Well, it isn't my fault she is tardy."
The girl bowed her head in defeat. "I was delayed."
"Oh?" Tavington replied, his tone suggesting she'd done something impish.
Scoffing, Miss Parrish closed most of the space between them, her arms crossed over her chest. "Colonel Tavington, just what are you implying?"
Mischievousness reflected in his icy eyes as he entered the barn, quite literally dodging the question. Knowing well enough what the colonel meant, Miss Parrish followed him in, her pace somewhat hesitant.
Tavington noticed this when he'd reached his chestnut mount. "They won't bite." He said somewhat condescendingly when he noticed the girl's demeanor at the sight of the creatures. She looked at him with a frown as she finally made her way over him. She peered at the large animal with a look mixed with curiosity and caution.
"What its name?"
Tavington took a short intake of breath, halting as he stroked the horse's soft nose. "Tempus." He mumbled.
Miss Parrish leaned her head in a little. "Tempus? Is that what I heard?" The soldier nodded curtly, "That's an unusual name for a horse."
Tavington unlatched the gate, causing the girl to take a step back as there wasn't much now that separated her from the gigantic animal. "His full name is Tempus Fugit."
She narrowed her eyes in thought, "Time Flies," She murmured.
Tavington briefly thought of Elena, then shook his mind of the past. "Now, what horse to be given to you?"
Miss Parrish tensed and looked around at the many fine horses, some belonging to other Dragoon officers. "Well, where exactly are you taking me?"
Tavington led Tempus out of his stall so he could prepare him. "Oh, that would ruin the surprise, now wouldn't it, Miss Parrish?"
-
After too much time convincing Miss Parrish that she wouldn't fall off her horse, Tavington was quite sure they'd miss what he needed to show her. Not wanting to frighten the woman by having the horses travel at a canter, Tavington thought of as many shortcuts to their destination as possible. Finally, he chose the most logical way. It certainly wasn't the smoothest route, but it would get them there in time.
"Put your hand on the pommel," Tavington instructed, "that's it. Now keep the other on the reins. Don't hold on to them too tight, just relax."
The woman was having a terrible time with her sidesaddle and though she insisted she'd ridden before, Tavington was sure it was probably only once and never since. Miss Parrish sat wide-eyed and quite ashen as she kept her horse at a slow walk next to Tavington's down the unbeaten path.
"Don't look down, Miss Parrish. There, you're doing fine."
Struggling to keep her eyes averted from the ground and concentrated on the things before her, Miss Parrish cleared her throat. "Where are we going?" She asked again, almost desperately.
Tavington chuckled. "Not much further now, don't worry."
After a few more minutes, the girl seemed to calm down and didn't have such a white-knuckled grip on the pommel. "Colonel Tavington, I really must protest-"
"William."
Miss Parrish looked over inquiringly. "William?"
"My superiors and subordinates call me Colonel Tavington. You are neither, and I would like you to call me William."
After a moment, the girl seemed to want to say something. "W-William, may I ask you a question?"
"Certainly, Miss Parrish."
"Ansley." She corrected him.
Tavington narrowed his eyes. "Ansley, hm? I take it that's short for Angelica, somehow?"
"Yes, it is."
He grunted. "Very odd. 'Ansley' doesn't sound the least bit similar to, 'Angelica.' "
Scoffing, the girl seemed to forget for a moment she was riding what she'd earlier called, "a treacherous beast." "Yes, well, 'Bill' doesn't sound very much like, 'William,' and 'Jack' sounds nothing like Jonathon."
Tavington made a half-smile. "Touché."
Remembering her question, Ansley returned to the point. "…William, I must ask, why, with what little free time someone like you has, would you waste your furlough on me? Why not with friends or family?"
Becoming solemn, Tavington answered the question as casually as he could. "Well, I find I don't have many friends, Ansley. I don't have the time to make any, nor keep them. And what's left of my family certainly didn't want to move here."
Seeming to regret the asking, the girl looked away. "Oh. I see." Deciding it best not to continue with such talk, she moved on to something else.
"William, I beg of you, why did you take me out here?" She whined.
Tavington decided to give her a small hint. "You say you despise this country. I intend on convincing you of its beauty."
Wondering what he meant by such a cryptic message, the girl stayed quiet, looking about her in search for any clue as to where he led her. She couldn't be sure where he thought would be the best place. The two were traveling through a wooded area and the sun was already setting. Soon, she wouldn't even be able to see anything that would, "convince her of its beauty." After a few more minutes of silence, a sound reached Ansley's ears and she strained to listen.
"What is that?" She whispered. It was a powerful noise and one she knew she'd heard before. But she couldn't place her finger on it. Tavington didn't say a word, he merely smiled. He led them both a little ways more before halting Tempus and dismounting.
"We're here." He said as the soldier made his way over to Ansley to help her off the, "treacherous beast."
The girl looked around, seeing only trees. "We're still in the forest though."
"We go the rest on foot." Tavington offered his hand to the girl who suddenly realized she had to get off the great black animal. Extremely unsure as to how she'd complete this task without falling, she took her hand off the pommel and gave it the man.
Since it would take too long to teach her how to properly dismount, Tavington decided to go about it his own way. "Lower your foot there, that's it, keep it there. Now lower the other one-don't hesitate, you'll be fine."
In letting go of her last foot, the woman slid off the horse with a yelp and landed on the ground with unsteady feet. In doing so, she tumbled into Tavington, who caught her easily. Her hands on his shoulders and his arms about her waist to steady her, she slowly pulled away from him.
"Thank you." She murmured.
He didn't let go immediately and Ansley was extremely aware of the warmth of his hands at her sides. And though the awkward moment lasted for only a few seconds, it held a tint of eternity. After tying the horses, Tavington offered his arm to the girl. "This way, milady."
Smiling at his mock propriety, Ansley locked her arm with his and let him lead her through the thick forest. After escorting her some way, Tavington stepped in front of her.
"Now, shut your eyes."
Scoffing, Ansley placed her fists firmly on her hips. "Shut my eyes? Whatever for?"
Biting down annoyance, Tavington rolled his eyes. "Would you please shut your eyes?"
Not seeming to trust him, Ansley stared cautiously before sighing dramatically and closing her lids over her large green orbs. "That's a girl, now come on."
Taking her hand in his own, he carefully led her towards the edge of the woods, where the sound Ansley had heard before was much louder. A certain smell stirred Ansley's memory and suddenly she knew where they were. "Can I-"
"Not yet." Tavington ordered.
Ansley felt the sand part away from her riding boots and the aroma of the saltwater tickled her nose. He dragged her along a little further before stopping and gently pushing down on her shoulders. "Sit." Tavington sat down with her, bringing one knee up and resting his elbow on it. Ansley drew both of her legs to her chest, as a child would.
"All right, you can open them now."
She did, and immediately a grin spread across her pale features. He had brought her there in perfect time. The brilliant colors of the sun stretched as far as the eye could see, as the water reflected the light off. Ansley sighed contentedly.
"I've always hated the sun." She murmured, "And its tendency to burn my skin. Even when we sailed over, I'd go and hide in my stateroom, despite Wesley's endeavors to make me come out to see the sunset."
Tavington watched the light glow on her features and he thought she never looked more beautiful than in that moment.
"But there is something different about the beach," she continued, "Something safe and comforting." She peeled her eyes away from the sun and to the sand, running her hand through the fine granules.
Tavington sighed. Perhaps he finally helped in convincing her of the beauty of the land, it being part of what he fought for. The two of them sat silently for some time, watching the sun glide down into the horizon. Then the only sound that could be heard, was the gentle collide of the small waves. The sky turned from orange and pink to blue and finally to black. Ansley did not say anything during this transition. She showed no fear of the impending darkness, or a wish to return to the manor. She was perfectly complacent.
The moon brightened and reflected its perfect, cool light over the water and sand. The stars slowly appeared, the shapes of the constellations forming until the entire sky was a vale, with pins of lights shooting through.
Tavington recognized the constellations immediately and he nodded at a particularly bright star. "The North Star," He murmured, "the brightest and most unwavering. It never moves."
Ansley followed his gaze, then let it wander over the other stars. "Do you know any constellations, William?"
He smiled. Of course he did. A soldier could spend days out in the wilderness with nothing but the stars to stare at. "Sure. See now, look East. See that set of three stars over there? Follow my finger. Do you see them?"
She nodded, though he could see her eyes narrowed in the dark. "Now, look up and follow those two stars, then to the right, you see that line? There, fit it all together, that's Orion, the Hunter."
It took her a minute to see the full shape, but when she did, the moon gleamed off her teeth as she grinned. "Show me another one."
Though it was difficult, Tavington was able to point out Pegasus, Gemini, Cassiopeia, and Draco. Ansley took to each of them, and then turned to Tavington. "Why me?" She said unexpectedly.
The inquiry took the Dragoon Colonel off guard, as there could be a thousand meanings behind such a question. "What do you mean?"
Turning away, the girl delicately tucked a strand of wavy hair behind her ear. "You could be doing anything right now. Getting drunk with your officers. Running about with wenches. Stowing yourself away in your room, studying stupid maps and battle plans. Why do you choose to spend this time with me? An engaged, silly little girl with her silk gowns and expensive jewels!"
The question was quite direct and Tavington couldn't dodge this one so easily. And if he did, he might just make her angry. Was the truth the best way to go here? Did he even have an answer? Deep down, he did, but it was a useless whim and Tavington didn't pay attention to whims.
"You're different, Ansley," After a moment of two, Tavington launched into his tale, "You remind me of a horse my father used to own. Beautiful animal, well trained. But it had come from a line of wild horses. You would see that streak reveal itself every once and a while. But growing up in the hands of brutal discipline had dwarfed its wild tendencies. Until one day, it broke free, unable to stand being held in captivity. We never saw her again."
Ansley had a look of pure confusion on her features. Perhaps it was because she'd been compared to horse, Tavington wasn't sure. He numbly waited for a reply.
"Oh." She said simply, then looked away, concentrating on the stars again.
"Was my answer disappointing?" Tavington prodded, a tremble of uncertainty in his gut.
Ansley whipped her head around, her mouth moving, but no words coming out. "I-I wouldn't say disappointing. Just…odd."
"You want something more direct?"
The girl's frame tensed and her mouth parted in question. "More direct?"
"If you permit me, of course." Tavington said quickly.
Her breath quickened, Tavington could see that. The moon reflected off her delicate chest, which moved up and down more rapidly than it should have. She looked away, seeming to have a battle within her own mind. Tavington wanted to decide for her, and he did. His hand went to her chin, gently pressuring it so her face would turn to him. Her eyes were wide, mixed with a certain fear and something Tavington saw that could've been called lust. Without delaying the moment any longer, the soldier slid his hand to her neck and pulled her to him, forcing her soft lips onto his. His want-his need to taste her now insatiable. He waited for her to struggle, pull away, slap him, some sort of rebellion. But to his great and pleasant surprise, she didn't recoil and instead returned the kiss with a passion she'd been denied for so long.
-
Yee-haw! Wesley's still an idiot! Tavy and Ansley fall for each other! And Lord Cornwallis made an appearance!
(cricket)
...okay, so nobody really cares about Cornwallis, but he's going to be in the next chapter anyway to have a "talk" with Ansley...dun dun dunnnn. Thanks for reading!
jeangray666: LOL, I'm sure you enjoyed it. Did you enjoy it Tavy?
Tavy: GAH! She has the pom-poms again! Make it stop!
Anywho, lol, well, if I die, I'll haunt my computer and continue writing :D. Thank you, Most Enthusiastic Reviewer for reading and reviewing :D.
Tigerchild: Aw, thank you muchly! Yes, yes, Tavy is quite a bit of eye candy if I don't say so myself :D. There's just something about the guy that is so darn irresistible. The eyes...the hair...the evilness...muahahaha...aw, but he was sooo nice in Harry Potter too...(cough), yeah, anywho, thank you for being such a faithful reader :).
SnowAngelChick06: Aw, thank you! Oh, I know, Wesley is incredibly stupid. But he's one of my favorite characters to write for because he says things no one else would say. But there will be some tender moments up ahead so y'all realize that, yes, he's a stupid bastard, but he's also human :D...teehee. Thank you for reading!
Tigressinthemist: Eee! I luv Tavy (hugs Tavy who rolls his eyes since it's the third hug of the day). And Wesley is stupid, but I love writing him because he says things nobody else would say. And there's a few tender moments ahead with him. Yes, he's stupid and idiotic and completely self-centered, but also human and I intend to show that part of him in a tiny scene :D. Eeek! And Tavy's still hot! (hugs Tavy again who groans because that makes it the fourth hug and it's not even noon yet). Thank you so much for reading and telling me your thoughts!
Well, folks, I'm out for now. Chocolate-covered raisons and more Tavy hugs for all! (and you can hug the rather hot British guard thatI've takenfrom my random mind and placedoutside Middleton Place who is now looking over curiously at all the female readers/reviewers).
-sancti-
